Banana-Pecan Waffles with Chunky Pineapple Sauce

NOTES: Fox sometimes serves these waffles with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To toast the pecans, bake in a 350° oven until golden beneath skins, about 10 minutes.

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, separated

3/4 cup low-fat (2%) milk

3/4 cup mashed ripe banana

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) butter, melted

3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans (see notes)

Chunky pineapple sauce (recipe follows)

Maple syrup (optional)

Sliced bananas for garnish (optional)

1. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In another bowl, mix egg yolks, milk, banana, sour cream, and butter until well blended. Stir egg-yolk mixture into flour mixture just until combined. Stir in pecans.

2. In another large bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter until no white streaks remain.

3. Turn a Belgian waffle iron to high heat; brush both sides lightly with oil or melted butter. When hot, add about 1/2 cup batter per 4-inch square; close iron and cook until waffle is well browned (lift lid slightly to check), 6 to 9 minutes. Remove waffle; keep warm on a baking sheet in a 200° oven up to 15 minutes. Repeat to cook remaining waffles.